Poplar, willow planting season looms

Landowners keen to better protect their
properties from erosion are being urged to investigate
whether they might qualify for subsidised poplars and
willows ahead of Northland’s looming winter planting
season.

Councillor Joe Carr, who chairs the Northland
Regional Council’s Environmental Management Committee,
says the trees have been planted for many years to reduce
erosion, help control nutrient losses and decrease waterway
pollution.

“Both species have extensive root systems
which help bind soil and prevent erosion and council
promotes their use both as part of its soil conservation and
water quality work.”

He says the council is often asked
why it is promoting the use of non-native species like
poplar and willow for erosion control.

“While in many
other apsects of council’s work we actively support the
use of native plants, we encourage the use of non-natives
for erosion control because their fast growth rate means
they’re able to provide stability to our land and
streamsides much more quickly.”

Councillor Carr says
stabilising land – and associated reductions in both
erosion and and subsequent sedimentation – is
essential.

“Sediment is one of Northland’s biggest
water contaminants and most of the phosphorous in our
harbour systems has arrived there attached to sediment from
erosion.”

He says the best time to plant the trees in
Northland is typically during the winter months of June to
August and recognising their value, the council is once
again offering subsidised supplies of willow and poplar pole
material.

“Unlike older varieties, these have been
specifically bred to weed out undesirable traits like heavy,
brittle limbs and/or vigorous suckering. They also have
better resistance to pests and disease and improved timber
values.”

Councillor Carr says the regional council will
meet up to half the cost of poplar and willows for 2014
planting, but with about 4000 poles available, stock is
limited with demand usually exceeding supply.

The bulk of
this year’s pole supply is being sourced from a Cambridge
supplier – about half of which have already been allocated
– with several hundred more on order from the limited
number of Northland-based suppliers offering them.

“That
demand and relative lack of local supply is one of the
reasons council decided to invest in its own poplar and
willow nursery in Flyger Rd, Mata last year.”

He says
the council has spent about $65,000 establishing the five
hectare nursery to date, but hopes to be able to meet much
of the growing Northland demand for poplars and willows
within several years.

Councillor Carr encourages those
considering planting poplars and willows to contact the
council’s land management team on (0800) 002 004 for
advice and points out orders for this year’s subsidised
stocks will close at the end of this month. (SUBS: on
Friday May 30)

“There are conditions and that May 30
deadline could be even earlier if this year’s supplies are
fully allocated before then.”

Councillor Carr says trees
are usually supplied as ‘poles’, ‘stakes’ or
‘wands’ which have been grown over two
seasons.

“Poles are larger (typically about three-metres
long) than the stakes and wands which are usually about a
metre to 1.5m long.”

He says poles need to be
transported carefully to avoid damaging the bark (creating
the risk of disease or the cutting drying out) and should
ideally be soaked in fresh flowing water for 8-10 days prior
to planting.

There are also a number of other
considerations that need to be taken into account, including
where the trees are sited and the ongoing care and
maintenance they’ll require.

“Our land management team
can help with this as well as free advice on the best
species to
use.”

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